1st - C-USA, biggest upside for LU, ODU nearby rival,
2nd - SBC, App St nearby rival,
3rd - MAC

I'd prefer CUSA first because they have better media visibility, better bowl tie ins, have access to Florida and Texas, and have a better slate of schools I'd rather associate with than the other two leagues. Almost all seem committed to improving in all sports and will spend if necessary.

The Sun Belt is the second choice for me. They lack a presence in Florida and have just one football member in Texas. Additionally Idaho and New Mexico State as football only members is extremely unattractive. I want Liberty to be a national brand but playing games at Idaho doesn't really do much to improve the branding and help the visibility. Just play against Boise State if you want to have visibility in Idaho. New Mexico isn't much better but apparently we have a lot of online students/graduates in the southwest.

The MAC is in third but I would be happy to be in the conference. They have a decent history and aren't bad in football, at least they have Northern Illinois to carry the banner of the league. I don't like their geographic footprint as much as the other two conferences but they have arguably a better academic lineup. I think getting rivals here would be hardest but any upset would easily get a good rivalry started.

1) AAC - Yah, I know you didn't offer them as a choice. But they'd be my first choice. They need a Virginia presence. They have a couple good regional rivals for us (ECU, Temple). They don't have a problem with including private universities. Obviously they have the greatest exposure of eastern conferences not named SEC, ACC, or Big.

1a) C-USA - Better teams for us to play. Florida and Texas games. ODU. WKU. Marshall.

2) Sun Belt - Warm weather teams

3) MAC -Cold weather teams

(01-24-2015 07:12 PM)army56mike Wrote:  1) AAC - Yah, I know you didn't offer them as a choice. But they'd be my first choice. They need a Virginia presence. They have a couple good regional rivals for us (ECU, Temple). They don't have a problem with including private universities. Obviously they have the greatest exposure of eastern conferences not named SEC, ACC, or Big.

1a) C-USA - Better teams for us to play. Florida and Texas games. ODU. WKU. Marshall.

2) Sun Belt - Warm weather teams

3) MAC -Cold weather teams

There's lots of buzz on all the G5 boards about who shifts from where if the Big12 expands, who replaced U-AB, and the dominoes expected to fall all the way from FCS call ups to P5 shifts from below. LU will be in the discussion and hopefully secure a spot in of the 3. The AAC likely won't consider an FCS program although that would be an outstanding membership.

I'd love the AAC but I think that is unrealistic until we get to FBS.

(01-24-2015 08:46 PM)GE and MTS Wrote:  I'd love the AAC but I think that is unrealistic until we get to FBS.

Agreed. SBC is likely our first invite after shifts occur with C-USA.

I hate the whole ranking FBS conferences, it just looks bad. All I want is LU to be in a FBS conference that wants it. Past that who gives the invite matters little.

I don't think anyone is saying that we should turn our noses up at an FBS conference invite (JMU). I think we would all be happy with whatever we get whether it is the MAC, SEC, MWC, whatever.

(01-24-2015 11:19 PM)GE and MTS Wrote:  I don't think anyone is saying that we should turn our noses up at an FBS conference invite (JMU). I think we would all be happy with whatever we get whether it is the MAC, SEC, MWC, whatever.

The goal shared by all is to achieve FBS. Realistically, with the present invite format, who are the potential conferences to accept and invite LU. It's a short list of 3. The SBC, C-USA and MAC. It's an indication of where the LU program is at this point and time. Will it change in time? Yes. Are we at a point where the ACC, Big10, Big12, SEC or the Pac-12 are interested in LU. No. Is that to seek once FBS, yes.

There have been made many points on this board about why LU did not receive the necessary support from SBC admins and LU has publicly stated their desire to enter the SBC. No such overt statement has been made from LU about the MAC or C-USA.

The SBC, which has had 8 school depart for the C-USA, will likely be plucked again when the shifts occur soon. That will increase LU's appeal, and through the simple process of elimination, provide LU the highest chance of being chosen.

C-USA will likely make a cursory review of LU when the shifts occur. Will they accept LU over UL-Lafayette or Texas State, likely no. Once LU is FBS, even on the entry level of SBC, we can improve our appeal by elevating the program to increase our desirability. If it turns out otherwise that would be fantastic.

I would realistically be happy with any FBS invite. I would prefer a southern based conference for the sake of the weather and fan support.

Any conference we land in we will be a good and respectable member always trying to improve the product we put on the fields of play........... like every other none P5 team, hoping to impress enough and create enough value to be called to higher league.

(01-27-2015 06:26 PM)army56mike Wrote:  I would realistically be happy with any FBS invite. I would prefer a southern based conference for the sake of the weather and fan support.

Any conference we land in we will be a good and respectable member always trying to improve the product we put on the fields of play........... like every other none P5 team, hoping to impress enough and create enough value to be called to higher league.

Agree 100%. Using the old adage, it is easier to get a better job once you have a job; it's easier to improve your conference affiliation once you have a conference affiliation. Any FBS conference will bring in superior quality FB play to Williams Stadium. We can draw 17,000+ for Prebsy, CSU, GW, and the other weaklings of the BSC, then we should easily bring 20k+ per game for FBS teams. Once a rivalry develops (we beat them away, they beat us at home), we could easily draw another 10-15% or 2-3k more. Those unfamiliar with the LU fan base, the school is starving for excellence in FB and the students will come. Locals will develop who enjoy good quality sports and appreciate a high quality FBS game. LU is a sleeping giant ready to pounce when the opportunity is available.